Don’t Get Caught In A Deep Freeze

PM Is Cheap Insurance

Your air conditioner had a good workout over the summer, and you’ve turned on the heat for the winter. Heating and air conditioning contractors who are members of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Upstate New York Chapter remind us that, in the mildest winter, your furnace will run at least twice as much as your air conditioner runs in the hottest summer. More likely, however, that figure will be three to four times more.

ACCA Chapter Chair Paul Maier notes that most air conditioners share components with furnaces. Consequently, these shared components has been operating all year. That’s why Maier recommends preventive maintenance on our furnaces at least once a year.

Furnace preventive maintenance includes a thorough cleaning and inspection, filter change, adjustments, and a check of the thermostat to be sure it is working properly. Belts are also checked, and replaced if necessary, on those furnaces that have them.

Contractors offer preventive maintenance service as a singe call, stand alone service. Most, however, also tie it in with their service agreements. When you compare prices, you’ll find that the service agreement price is not that much more than preventive maintenance service alone. Besides preventive maintenance, a service agreement provides a number of other benefits. Each contractor’s agreement is different, but they generally provide priority service in case of an emergency, and some may also offer discounts to their service agreement customers.

Maier notes that we have preventive maintenance done to our vehicles on a regular basis to reduce our chances of getting stuck away from home with a broken down car. He stresses that getting caught at home on a cold winter night with a broken down furnace can be just as unforgettable.

ACCA membership is your heating and air conditioning contractor’s symbol of quality. For even greater confidence, ask if your contractor employs technicians who are NATE certified in the services you need. For more information, visit www.accaupstateny.org.

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